dash pod lights dim and brighten

[wingnut]

I searched but I didn't see this problem anywhere. My dash pod lights dim and brighten randomly as I'm driving. Not every day mind you, but probably at least once a week. I can't seem to find a common thread as to when it happens. Any one else have this problem or am I "special"

 

[Eric Smit]

It's because of your headlights. when they automatically come on, the interior lights dim because your car thinks it's dark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA_vA4amLJY


-Eric Smit

 

[wingnut]

I understand the auto light thing (I think), but they dim and brighten when absolutely nothing around them has changed, although I do notice the windshield wipers do affect things.

 

[Eric Smit]

I would bet my car it's your auto headlights. mine does it randomly too.


-Eric Smit

 

[1980PontiacWagon]

same here, it gets a little annoying

 

[RS Turbo]

I understand the auto light thing (I think), but they dim and brighten when absolutely nothing around them has changed, although I do notice the windshield wipers do affect things.

Federal regulations for manufactures with automatic headlamps must have headlamps turn on when wipers are on.

 

[wingnut]

OK. If others are experiencing the same thing, then I feel better. I had a POS volvo XC 70 that did something similar (it wasn't supposed to) and the electrical gremlins that car had were horrible. Thanks people for putting my mind at ease.

 

[theenico]

Since I hate DRLs, I always do a quick flick of the switch to turn the lights off during daylight hours. This also keeps the dashlights from doing the random dimming thing.

 

[Swordsmith]

The little dome sitting way up front under the center of your windshield is the light sensor, if you're like my future ex wife and use that area as additional storage that might be contributing to random "oh no it's dark out" responses.

Personally I love the automatic lights, the only problem I have now is that on the rare instance where I have to drive the F150, I'm probably going to forget to turn them on or off.

I remember when Florida enacted the law where you must have lights on if wipers are on, and that seems to have gradually spread across the country, PA has that same law now.

 

[Maddmatts]

I also find the sensor overly sensitive. There were times when just a light overcast would turn the lights on and dim the dash to the point where I could barely read it. The first time it happened I thought the whole dash-lighting system failed.

In my old car, I drilled the sensor's aperture a little bigger to let more light in. Not sure if that'll work in a Sonic. I'll have to see if I can get under the dome.

 

[CoHPhasor]

Since I hate DRLs, I always do a quick flick of the switch to turn the lights off during daylight hours. This also keeps the dashlights from doing the random dimming thing.

I need to see if that can be made default when I get my tune.
I also want the f***kin retarded DRL cluster light to go the f**k away when I have my lights fully on.
They're on, I can see them, I turned them on myself, I don't need a constant reminder blinding me in the cluster.
(And doesn't match the lighting motif!)

 

[TheGreatAndPowerfulOz]

Driving under sections of tree shadows or if extra dark clouds go over will cause my dash lights to dim, and I'm guessing the headlights are flashing on & off at oncoming traffic ... which then makes me think the other drivers are wondering if there is a police car running radar and I'm flashing to warn them.

 

[Eric Smit]

Your headlights are not flashing on and off, your dash is just getting darker and then lighter. Your headlights are always on.

 

[Swordsmith]

Isn't there a difference between daylight running lights and night headlights? That would look a little like someone flashing from low beam to high beam, I'd guess.

 

[Eric Smit]

No difference.


-Eric Smit

 

[rdss]

Eric, I'm pretty sure that the DRL is running on a lower power output than the head lights actually being on. They use the low beam bulb so it's almost transparent though, unless GM did something different with the Sonic.

 

[Eric Smit]

I was behind a Scion xB and was looking at my lights' reflection. Out of curiosity, I switched to full headlights, and it looked the same.


-Eric Smit

 

[rdss]

Huh, I will have to check that out when I get back home. I'm stuck in a Fiesta for two weeks.

 

[14T6MT]

I'm pretty sure there is a difference, I remember trying it on a cloudy day when I was parallel parked close to another car and in that environment the DRLs were noticeably less intense.

 

[14T6MT]

I checked multiple times, there is a difference. You have to be in the right lighting conditions to see it but the lights are actually quite a bit brighter when fully on.